Here’s a simple and delicious way to make juicy pork chops — pan-seared with a flavorful seasoning or a quick sauce. 🥩✨
🥩 Pan-Seared Pork Chops
Serves: 2–4
Prep time: 5–10 min
Cook time: 15–20 min
Ingredients
- 4 pork chops (bone-in or boneless, about 1-inch thick)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- Optional: garlic powder, paprika, or dried herbs (thyme, rosemary, or oregano)
Optional pan sauce:
- ½ cup chicken broth or white wine
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard or cream (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the pork chops:
- Pat chops dry with paper towels.
- Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and optional spices.
- Sear the chops:
- Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear pork chops 3–5 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Check doneness:
- Reduce heat to medium and cook until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Rest chops for 3–5 minutes before serving to retain juices.
- Optional pan sauce:
- Remove pork chops from the pan and set aside.
- Add broth or wine and garlic to the skillet, scraping up browned bits.
- Simmer 2–3 minutes, then stir in butter and Dijon mustard or cream if desired.
- Pour sauce over pork chops before serving.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
- Serve with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, rice, or a simple salad.
- Add a fruit glaze like apple, peach, or pineapple for a sweet-savory twist.
- For a crispy crust, coat chops lightly in flour or breadcrumbs before searing.
If you want, I can also give you a honey garlic or maple mustard baked pork chop version that’s super flavorful and easy for weeknight dinners. Do you want me to do that?
